Assume the Melo trade goes down for a minute: (this is not rotation minutes, just roster) Paul/Taylor/Bobby Brown Harden/Gordon Ariza/PJ Tucker Melo/Mbah a Moute/Cam Oliver Capela/Nene/Black There are 13 players. (This assumes Nanu is traded) We can technically add more players, but they'd be inactive. It's tough to see where a veteran would want to jump in here now, especially if Dan Tony really likes Taylor.
Funny enough, Jose Calderon could actually have been ideal for this team. With Harden, Gordon and Paul at the guard position, the Rockets do not actually need a full time backup PG because Tucker, Ariza, and Mbah a Moute can also fill up spot minutes at the 2. Rockets only need somebody that can act as insurance for Paul/Gordon in games that they may miss, and even then you really only need 10-15 minutes at most from that insurance backup. Calderon would have served that role well since he is more than capable of hitting the 3 consistently and can provide playmaking when needed. Prigioni would be a good option too if he is still around.
There are brawls among players and in the stands. One year a game in Greece had to be played in an empty gym because fans got out of control. Owners don't pay on time. And all the people are hairy and smelly.
I don't know much about Neto, but with Utah having Rubio and Exum, he may be available for trade. He only makes $1.47 M for 1 year, so it could be a straight up trade for Onuaku or one of the non-guaranteeds (Uthoff can't be traded with anyone else so he makes the most sense).
Isaiah Taylor >> Jerian Grant Unfortunately I think in any Melo trade Taylor will be outgoing because he's pretty good and has a great contract.
I think it's Isaiah Taylor's job to lose. He played solid in the summer league as a playmaker, ball handler, and interior scorer. Keep in mind we're essentially replacing the role Lou Williams had in last year's offense. A scorer would be ideal however there aren't many available. Aaron Brooks doesn't have much left in the tank but a version of him from 4 years ago would be perfect.
I'd say Taylor is the guy unless we trade him with nanu for melo. Pierre Jackson is gone. He wouldve been great. And I'd sure like to give Sacramento $3 million cash for Frank Mason III. He's going to be nails. I can't believe Nets would move Dinwiddie. He's on the verge of breaking out. Another guy I'm watching to see if he gets released is Quinn Cook. He can ball. And there was talk of breaking Eric Gordon up into Augustine and Hezonja. Watching Briante Weber as well. He's a quality Nba defender at the top. An opponents nightmare. And then again I still like Gary Payton if the Bucks turned him loose.
All this talk about Jerian Grant got me excited....he isn't a FA until 2019. Wth are you guys doing!?
Backup pg is good insurance when Cp3 gets injured but in general its not a must. I expect Harden and CP to have minutes staggered so one is on the court always.
Webber's energy and defense is very Beverley-like. Would love to have him here, if he could develop a 3point jumper he could very well be the next Bev.
Via trade.... Bulls have like 4 point guards. SO he probably could be acquired via trade for cheap (and pay HUGE dividends) like a certain Kyle Lowry